Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Reports that Birmingham Airport could be renamed after Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne have been played down by the airport, according to TravelMole.

Last week, the Birmingham Mail reported that a name change was being considered, following in the footsteps of other airports such as Liverpool John Lennon Airport and John F. Kennedy Airport in New York.

The idea was suggested by original Sabbath manager Jim Simpson, who came up with the plan of renaming the airport after plans for a Black Sabbath Day in the city were apparently shelved.

But doubting whether such an event would be a success in the first place, Jim came up with the re-naming idea.

“I believe that there is a masterstroke that would instantly confound the cynics,” said Simpson. “Just re-name our airport! How does The Ozzy Osbourne International Airport resonate? The message that would carry is instantly international, confident, powerful, unforgettable and says ‘Hey World, we are proud of our own.”

Birmingham Airport confirmed that it would be a decision for the airport itself, with a spokesman adding: "We've no plans to rename the airport so not quite sure where the story's come from but we're certainly not in discussions."

Ozzy and Sabbath are currently working on a new album that is due to be released in April.